Dance tight with embellishment to facilitate instruction of juvenile dancers

ABSTRACT

Tights worn by juvenile dancers are provided with an embellishment on one of the legs to provide a visual cue and/or tactile cue which functions to assist the wearer in determining which leg is the right leg and which leg is the left leg. Thus, when the juvenile dancer is instructed to respond with their right or left leg, the embellished dance tight helps them to determine which leg to move. The embellishment (or a portion thereof) is provided on the front thigh area of one of the legs, preferably at the center of the thigh area or above. Locating the embellishment (or a portion thereof) at the middle of the thigh area (or above) advantageously allows the wearer to readily see the embellishment, with or without the aid of a mirror, without the need for the wearer to bend at the waist and without the need for the wearer to raise their foot. Alternatively, or in addition, the embellishment (or a portion thereof) may be provided at a knee area of one of the legs. Alternatively, or in addition, the embellishment (or a portion thereof) may be provided at a top of a foot area of one the legs.

1. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1.1 Field of the Invention

The present invention concerns dance tights. Specifically, the presentinvention concerns dance tights provided with an embellishmentspecifically adapted to assist juvenile dancers to distinguish betweentheir left and right legs or left and right feet.

1.2 Background Information

Dancing is a healthy recreational activity that has become increasinglypopular with children. Juvenile dancers typically wear tights whenreceiving dance instruction and often when practicing. Although manychildren are enthusiastic and eager to receive dance instruction, evenat a young age, teaching dance to young children has a number ofchallenges. One challenge is that children are often eager to receivedance instruction before they can distinguish left from right. Sincedance instruction includes many references to left foot, right foot,left toe, right toe, left heal, right heal, left knee, right knee, leftkick, right kick, left lunge, right lunge, etc., a child's inability todistinguish left from right can cause an otherwise enjoyable activity tobecome a source of frustration and sometimes embarrassment for thechild. This can also be a source of frustration for dance teachers,especially in a group instruction setting.

As can be appreciated from the foregoing, it would be useful to providea means to help young children to distinguish left from right whendancing.

2. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

When tights consistent with the present invention are worn by juveniledancers, an embellishment on one of the legs provides a visual cueand/or tactile cue which functions to assist the wearer in determiningwhich leg is the right leg and which leg is the left leg. Thus, when thejuvenile dancer is instructed to respond with their right or left leg,the embellished dance tight helps them to determine which leg to move.

In at least some embodiments consistent with the present invention, theembellishment (or a portion thereof) is provided on the front thigh areaof one of the legs, preferably at the center of the thigh area or above.Locating the embellishment (or a portion thereof) at the middle of thethigh area (or above) advantageously allows the wearer to readily seethe embellishment, with or without the aid of a mirror, without the needfor the wearer to bend at the waist and without the need for the wearerto raise their foot. In this way, when the wearer is instructed torespond with their right or left leg, the embellishment serves as avisual cue of which leg to move. Alternatively, or in addition, theembellishment (or a portion thereof) may be provided at a knee area ofone of the legs. Alternatively, or in addition, the embellishment (or aportion thereof) may be provided at a top of a foot area of one thelegs.

In at least some embodiments consistent with the present invention, theembellishment is readily distinguishable from the rest of the tight bytouch. Such an embellishment may be thought of as a tactileembellishment. Locating the embellishment (or a portion thereof) at themiddle of the thigh area (or above) advantageously allows the wearer toreadily feel the embellishment without the need for the wearer to bendat the waist and without the need for the wearer to raise their foot. Inthis way, when the wearer is instructed to respond with their right orleft leg, the embellishment serves as a tactile cue of which leg tomove.

In at least some embodiments consistent with the present invention, thetight is made from stretchable fabric and the embellishment includes aplurality of embellishment pieces individually affixed (e.g., adhered)to the tight fabric such that when an underlying portion of the dancetight is stretched horizontally or vertically, the embellishment piecescan move independently of one another. In at least some of theseembodiments, at least some of the embellishment pieces might havedifferent heights. Alternatively, or in addition, in at least some ofthese embodiments, the tight fabric of the first leg has a thickness,and at least some of the embellishment pieces have a height (thickness)which is at least 1 to 7 times the thickness of the first leg.

3. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary tight consistent with the presentinvention.

FIG. 2 illustrates the exemplary tight of FIG. 1 as worn.

FIG. 3 illustrates an exemplary visible and/or tactile embellishmentconsistent with the present invention.

FIG. 4 illustrates a portion of the exemplary embellishment of FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 illustrates the independent movement of embellishment parts whenan underlying portion of the dance tight is stretched horizontally.

FIG. 6 illustrates the independent movement of embellishment parts whenan underlying portion of the dance tight is stretched vertically.

FIG. 7 is a cross sectional portion of embellishment parts on a tight.

4. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary tight 100 consistent with the presentinvention. The tight 100 includes a right leg 110 r, a left leg 110 l, atrunk portion 120 and a waistband 150. The ends 115 r and 115 l of theright and left legs 110 r and 110 l, respectively, may be stitched.Similarly, the front and back (not shown) of the trunk portion 120 maybe stitched 130. A gusset 140 may be provided in the crotch area betweenthe tops of the leg portions 110 r and 110 l and the front stitching130. A top opening 160 may be provided at the top of the trunk area 120,at the waistband 150. A visible and/or tactile embellishment (referredto generally as an “embellishment”) 170 may be provided on the right legportion 110 r as shown. As shown to the right of FIG. 1, the tight 100may include a waist and hip area 180 (roughly corresponding to the trunkarea 120), a thigh area 182, a knee area 184, a shin area 186 and a footarea 188. FIG. 2 illustrates the exemplary tight 100 as worn by ajuvenile dancer.

The tight 100 may be manufactured, for example, using a continuousknitting tubular knitting machine such as described in U.S. Pat. No.6,047,571 (incorporated herein by reference). The tight 100 ispreferably a stretchable, washable material, such as a blend of Nylonand Spandex. In one embodiment consistent with the present invention,the tight is about 88% Nylon and about 12% Spandex. The gusset 140 maybe made of nylon having good moisture management characteristics. Thewaist band 150 may be thicker (e.g., double knitted) than the rest ofthe tight 100.

A first exemplary tight might have (unstretched) dimensions of 16-18inches total length, 10-11 inches leg length, 2-3 inches leg width and12-14 inches waist opening and may be used by juvenile dancers about30-38 inches tall and 25-39 lbs in weight. In such an exemplary(unstretched) tight, the embellishment (or at least a portion thereof)should be provided between 6 inches and 9 inches from the waist opening,such that the embellishment (or at least a portion thereof) is providedon a thigh area 182 of the tight. A second exemplary tight might have(unstretched) dimensions of 18-20 inches total length, 11-12 inches leglength, 3-4 inches leg width and 14-16 inches waist opening and may beused by juvenile dancers about 39-49 inches tall and 40-60 lbs inweight. In such an exemplary (unstretched) tight, the embellishment (orat least a portion thereof) should be provided between 6 inches and 9inches from the waist opening, such that the embellishment (or at leasta portion thereof) is provided on a thigh area 182 of the tight.

In the exemplary tight 100, the embellishment 170 is provided on thefront thigh area 182 of the right leg 110 r. In the exemplary embodiment100 illustrated, the embellishment 170 is provided in the center of thethigh area. In other embodiments consistent with the present invention,the embellishment 170 may be provided above the middle of the thigh areabut below the trunk portion 120 (although portions of the embellishmentmight extend below the center of the thigh area 182 and/or into thetrunk area 120).

Locating the embellishment 170 (or at least a portion thereof) at themiddle of the thigh area (or above, but below the trunk area 120)advantageously allows the wearer to readily see the embellishment, withor without the aid of a mirror, without the need for the wearer to bendat the waist and without the need for the wearer to raise their foot. Inthis way, when the wearer is instructed to respond with their right orleft leg, the embellishment serves as a visual cue of which leg to move.Such readily visible embellishments 170 may be thought of as visualembellishments. The portion of the visual embellishment serving as avisual cue is preferably at least 1 inch tall and at least 1 inch wide.

In at least some embodiments consistent with the present invention, theembellishment 170 is readily distinguishable from the rest of the tightby touch. Such an embellishment 170 may be thought of as a tactileembellishment. Locating the tactile embellishment 170 (or at least aportion thereof) at the middle of the thigh area, and preferably abovethe middle of the thigh area but below the trunk area 120,advantageously allows the wearer to readily feel the embellishment withtheir hand when the wearer extends their arm straight down, without theneed for the wearer to bend at the waist and without the need for thewearer to raise their foot. In this way, when the wearer is instructedto respond with their right or left leg, the embellishment serves as atactile cue of which leg to move. The portion of the tactileembellishment serving as a tactile cue is preferably at least 1 inchlong and at least 1 inch wide (unstretched). In some embodiments of thepresent invention, the stretched width of the portion of the tactileembellishment is at least ⅜ inch wide, which roughly corresponds to thewidth of one of a juvenile's three middle digits. This corresponds to awidth of 3/16 inch to ⅜ inch when the tight is unstretched. In someembodiments of the present invention, the stretched width of the portionof the tactile embellishment is at least 1¼ inch wide, which roughlycorresponds to the width of a juvenile's three middle digits. Thiscorresponds to a width of ⅝ inch to 1¼ inch when the tight isunstretched.

FIG. 3 illustrates an exemplary visible and tactile embellishment 170consistent with the present invention. This exemplary embellishmentincludes faux (plastic) gemstones which may be adhered to the exteriorof the tight 100 by a heat transfer processes, such as a standard heattransfer process. FIG. 4 illustrates a portion 300 of the exemplaryembellishment of FIG. 3. Although not shown, the faux-gemstones may befaceted, thereby advantageously enhancing their tactile response.

As shown in FIG. 4, the portion 300 of the exemplary embellishment mayinclude different faux-gemstones of different widths (and heights). Inthis exemplary embodiment, faux-gemstone 320 is wider (and taller) thanfaux-gemstones 310 a-310 d. This advantageously enhances the tactileresponse of the embellishment. FIG. 5 is a cross sectional portion ofembellishment parts 510 a and 510 b, 520 on a tight 530 illustrating therelationship between the heights 515 and 525 of the elements 510 and 520and the thickness 535 of the tight fabric 530. In one exemplaryembodiment consistent with the present invention, the height 515 of thelower elements 510 is between 0.05 and 0.10 inches, the height 525 ofthe higher element 520 is between 0.10 and 0.20 inches, and thethickness 535 of the tight fabric 530 is between 0.03 inches and 0.05inches. Having at least one of the elements of the embellishment with aheight which is at least twice the thickness 535 of the fabric 530advantageously enhances tactile response.

Although it is not necessary, the embellishment should stretch with thetight fabric. For example, the exemplary embellishment 170 may includefaux-gemstones individually affixed (e.g., adhered) to the tight fabric.FIG. 6 illustrates the independent movement of embellishment parts 310 band 310 d when an underlying portion of the dance tight is stretchedhorizontally. Specifically, embellishment parts 310 b and 310 d move topositions 310 b′ and 310 d′ when the tight fabric portion 300 isstretched to dimension 300′. Similarly, FIG. 7 illustrates theindependent movement of embellishment parts 301 a-301 d when anunderlying portion of the dance tight is stretched vertically.Specifically, embellishment parts 310 a-310 d move to positions 310a″-310 d″ when the tight fabric portion 300 is stretched to dimension300″. Such independent movement of embellishment parts advantageouslyreduces stresses on the adhesion between the embellishment 170 and thetight fabric when the tight fabric is stretched.

Although the exemplary embellishment 170 included faux-gemstones affixed(e.g.,adhered) to the tight, alternative types of embellishments can beused instead or in addition. The embellishment should provide an easilyidentifiable visual cue, a readily identifiable tactile cue, andpreferably both. The embellishment should be economical, and shouldremain in place. Alternative embellishments may include, for example, atleast one of, stone pieces, plastic pieces, metal pieces, fabric pieces,fur pieces, feather pieces, a patch, a change in knitting (e.g., ajacquard type of design) etc. Fabric pieces should be of a differenttexture than the tight fabric to enhance tactile response.

Although the exemplary embellishment 170 included pieces that can moveindependently of each other as the underlying tight fabric is stretched,alternative embellishments may be unitary in design.

Although the exemplary embellishment 170 was shown on the thigh portion182 of the right leg 110 r of the tight 100, it may be provided on thethigh portion 182 of the left leg 110 l of the tight. Indeed, twovisually (and/or tactilely) distinguishable embellishments may beprovided on the two legs 110 r and 110 l of the tight 100.

Although the exemplary embellishment 170 was described as being on thethigh portion 182 of one of the legs of the tight 100, it may beprovided on another readily visible portion of the tight, such as a kneeportion 184, a top of a foot portion 188, etc. If the height of theembellishment is such that it protrudes to an extent to make it readilyvisible, it may be provided on any front portion of the tight.

Although the exemplary tight 100 was described as including foot areas188, other embodiments consistent with the present invention need notinclude foot areas 188. Indeed, some embodiments consistent with thepresent invention need not include shin areas 186 or foot areas 188. Theends of the legs 100 r and 110 l of such alternative embodiments will beopen.

As can be appreciated from the foregoing, embodiments consistent withthe present invention provide a visual and/or tactile difference in thelegs of the dance tight, thereby allowing the wearer to betterdistinguish their right and left sides (even without bending at thewaist or lifting a foot). Embodiments consistent with the presentinvention may be conveniently and economically manufactured. Embodimentsconsistent with the present invention may wear well even with repeateduse and repeated stretching and relaxing of the tight fabric.

1. A tight comprising: a) a trunk section; b) a first leg adjacent tothe trunk section, the first leg having a front portion, a rear portion,and a thigh portion; c) a second leg adjacent to the trunk section, thesecond leg having a front portion, a rear portion, and a thigh portion;and d) an embellishment at least a portion of which is provided on afront portion of the first leg at the center of the thigh portion orhigher such that a wearer of the tight can readily see or feel the atleast a portion of the embellishment without the wearer bending at thewaist and without the wearer raising their foot.
 2. The tight of claim 1wherein the at least a portion of the embellishment is readilydistinguishable from the rest of the tight by touch such that the wearercan readily feel the at least a portion of the embellishment with theirhand when the wearer extends their arm straight down, without the wearerbending at the waist and without the wearer raising their foot.
 3. Thetight of claim 1 wherein the tight is made from stretchable fabric andwherein the embellishment includes a plurality of embellishment piecesindividually affixed to the tight fabric such that when an underlyingportion of the dance tight is stretched horizontally or vertically, theembellishment pieces can move independently of one another.
 4. The tightof claim 3 wherein the embellishment pieces are adhered to an exteriorof the tight by a heat transfer process.
 5. The tight of claim 3 whereinat least some of the embellishment pieces have a first height andwherein at least some other of the embellishment pieces have a secondheight different from the first height.
 6. The tight of claim 5 whereinthe first height is between 0.05 and 0.10 inches, and the second heightis between 0.10 inches and 0.20 inches.
 7. The tight of claim 3 whereinthe tight fabric of the first leg has a thickness, and wherein at leastsome of the embellishment pieces have a height which is at least twicethe thickness.
 8. The tight of claim 3 wherein the embellishment has anunstretched width of at least 1.0 inch.
 9. The tight of claim 3 whereinthe embellishment has an unstretched width of at least 3/16 inch. 10.The tight of claim 1 wherein the embellishment includes at least one ofplastic pieces adhered to the tight, stone pieces adhered to the tight,fabric pieces adhered to the tight, fur pieces adhered to the tight,metal pieces adhered to the tight, feather pieces adhered to the tight,and a change in knitting from the rest of the tight.
 11. The tight ofclaim 1 wherein the trunk section, the first leg and the second leg arecontinuously knitted and tubular.
 12. The tight of claim 1 wherein thetrunk section, the first leg and the second leg are knit from a blend ofNylon and Spandex.
 13. The tight of claim 1 having unstretcheddimensions of 16-18 inches total length, 10-11 inches leg length, 2-3inches leg width and 12-14 inches waist opening for use by juveniledancers about 30-38 inches tall and 25-39 lbs in weight.
 14. The tightof claim 11 wherein the at least a portion of the embellishment isprovided between 6 inches and 9 inches down from the waist opening. 15.The tight of claim 1 having unstretched dimensions of 18-20 inches totallength, 11-12 inches leg length, 3-4 inches leg width and 14-16 incheswaist opening for use by juvenile dancers about 39-49 inches tall and40-60 lbs in weight.
 16. The tight of claim 15 wherein the at least aportion of the embellishment is provided between 6 inches and 9 inchesdown from the waist opening.
 17. A tight comprising: a) a trunk section;b) a first leg adjacent to the trunk section, the first leg having afront portion, a rear portion, and a knee portion; c) a second legadjacent to the trunk section, the second leg having a front portion, arear portion, and a knee portion; and d) an embellishment at least aportion of which is provided on a front portion of the first leg at theknee portion such that a wearer of the tight can readily see the atleast a portion of the embellishment without the wearer bending at thewaist and without the wearer raising their foot.
 18. A tight comprising:a) a trunk section; b) a first leg adjacent to the trunk section, thefirst leg having a front portion, a rear portion, and a foot portion; c)a second leg adjacent to the trunk section, the second leg having afront portion, a rear portion, and a foot portion; and d) anembellishment at least a portion of which is provided on a front portionof the first leg at a top of the foot portion such that a wearer of thetight can readily see the at least a portion of the embellishmentwithout the wearer bending at the waist and without the wearer raisingtheir foot.